Moving from Surprise, AZ to Jackson, MS
It is 1501 mi and 26h 4m from Surprise to Jackson β a cross-country move across 5 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
1501 mi Β· 26h 4m by car Β· MS β LA β TX β NM β AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | MS β LA β TX β NM β AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, I 10, US 80 |
| Major cities en route | Shreveport, Tyler, Mesquite, Garland, Richardson |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Surprise | Jackson | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.316 | 89.048 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 93.332 | 78.137 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.024 | 96.219 | 100.0 |
| Services | 121.236 | 64.768 | 100.0 |
Expect about 13.8% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Jackson at 89.048 vs Surprise at 103.316.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 13.8% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $422,473 to $87,256 moving to Jackson.
YoY change: Surprise -2.4%, Jackson -1.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Surprise | Jackson |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 70Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 39Β°F | 38Β°F |
| July avg high | 105Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 9.6" | 51.3" |
Annual average temperatures in Surprise (70.2Β°F) and Jackson (66.0Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: WITTMANN 1SE, AZ US, JACKSON HAWKINS FLD, MS US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Surprise | Jackson |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,519 | 149,827 |
| Median household income | $93,371 | $43,238 |
| Median age | 41.6 | 34.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.9% | 16.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.75 | 2.42 |
Expect median household income to fall 13.8% β $93,371 β $43,238 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Jackson MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 31,490 | $36,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 26,230 | $36,470 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 23,080 | $29,690 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 22,970 | $66,380 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 22,370 | $22,500 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Arizona and Mississippi
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Mississippi's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Jackson average 92Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Jackson averages 51.3 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Hurricane season runs June through November on the Gulf Coast.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in Mississippi after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Jackson more expensive than Surprise?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Jackson is 13.8% lower than Surprise (89.048 vs 103.316, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Jackson, MS from Surprise, AZ?
The driving distance is 1501 mi and the route typically takes 26h 4m via I 20 and I 10. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Jackson compared to Surprise?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $87,256 in Jackson vs $422,473 in Surprise β a 79.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Surprise vs Jackson?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $43,238 in Jackson vs $93,371 in Surprise β a 53.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Surprise to Jackson?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1501 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Jackson compare to Surprise?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,540 in the Jackson MSA vs $48,600 in the Surprise MSA, on total employment of 252,860 and 2,289,130 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Surprise.
City profiles: Surprise, AZ Β· Jackson, MS.